Pupils from KS3 and KS4 who have a keen interest in English Literature travelled to The Grand Opera House in Belfast to watch the legendary ‘BLOOD BROTHERS’! This musical tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. The superb score includes ‘Bright New Day’, ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and the emotionally charged hit ‘Tell Me It’s Not True.’

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning ‘BLOOD BROTHERS’. Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it ‘brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval!’ Jack Tinker, Daily Mail.

It certainly brought pupils and staff from Newtownhamilton to their feet! Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed it! Our thanks go to Derek and Mrs Ferris for accompanying pupils on this trip and providing transport.

24/09/14 - School Association AGM

Parents, staff and friends of Newtownhamilton High are reminded that the School Association AGM will be held on Thursday 25th September at 8.00pm in Room 5. Any new parents would be made most welcome.

More information on the work of the School Association can be found by clicking on the Association page of this website.

24/09/14 - European Day of Languages

This week has been a busy one for the French department in Newtownhamilton High School as they prepare to celebrate European Day of Languages this Friday.

The aim of the day is to celebrate cultural diversity and promote language learning both inside and outside of school.

On Friday, the canteen will be serving a delicious European menu. Croissants, pain au chocolat, soda farls and baguettes will be on sale at break time and French Teacher Miss Moore will also be serving hot chocolate and Spanish fruit juice. The European theme will also be continuing at lunch, with pizza, spaghetti and other tasty European options available! Pupils may wish to bring along some extra money on this day, as they might be tempted to try some new cuisine.

Celebrations for Friday have already started with many Year 8 and 9 pupils attending a Spanish themed taster session with Miss Moore at lunch time on Monday. This event was so successful that it has been decided to continue with the fun and start a Spanish club!

Poster competitions have also been running throughout the week with Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils taking part and producing some fantastic posters to promote European Day of Languages, which inform why learning a language is so important. Miss Moore has a difficult job on her hands to choose a selection of the best posters in each class, which will then be displayed around the school, for all to admire!

19/09/14 - Message from Vice Principal Mr N Megaw

Dear Community Member

Most people in the Newtownhamilton area will probably be aware that our Principal Mr Garnet Mullan will be retiring on Friday 31st October 2014 after 18 years of dedicated and faithful service. During this time, Mr Mullan has worked tirelessly to transform Newtownhamilton High into one of the leading non-selective schools in Northern Ireland. I know that I speak for all our school stakeholders and community members when I say that he will be greatly missed.

Since Mr Mullan’s retirement announcement in March, I have been approached by many individuals from the local community about organising a gift and/or event in order to acknowledge his outstanding contribution over the years. Therefore, following some thought, I established a small ‘Retirement Committee’ consisting of teaching staff, non-teaching staff, School Association Members (parents) and Board of Governors. This Committee met in June and after much discussion, and also being mindful of Mr Mullan’s request for “No fuss”, it was agreed that a gift and event should be arranged as outlined below:

1. Retirement Gift - A donation pot is now available in the school office for financial contributions from Governors, pupils, former pupils, staff, former staff, parents and community members. Contributions should be put in an envelope clearly marked ‘For Mr Mullan’s Retirement Gift’. The closing date for contributions will be Friday 10th October. This money will then be used to purchase a gift that Mr Mullan would like.

2. Retirement Event - An informal Coffee Morning will be held in the school on Saturday 18th October 2014 (10am-12.30pm) and all community members are invited. This event will provide an opportunity to call in for a tea/coffee and a chat with Mr Mullan. At approximately 11.45am, there will be a few short speeches and the handing over of a gift purchased from the financial donations. The event will conclude at approximately 12.30pm.

I encourage all parents, friends and community members to support the above and also to spread the word around local Churches, Clubs, Businesses, Primary Schools etc. Mr Mullan has had a positive impact on the lives of so many in the local community and I know that they will want to show their appreciation.

Finally, it is my wish that the whole Newtownhamilton community will pull together in order to give Mr Mullan the ‘send off’ that he deserves.

Yours faithfully

Neil Megaw

Vice Principal

05/09/14 - Pupils Participate in Belfast Tattoo

Pictured left to right are James Kennedy, Gemma McDowell and Judith Leeman who are performing at the Belfast Tattoo 2014 in the Odyssey Arena this weekend.

As part of the Belfast Tattoo, there will be a display of Drum Majors which will include James, Gemma and Judith. This has been a very busy week for them with rehearsals and even TV recordings!

Best wishes to James, Gemma and Judith from everyone at Newtownhamilton High.

04/09/14 - Key Dates for 2014/15

Key dates for the 2014/15 School Year are now available to view on the Calendar section of this website. Pupils are parents should note that these dates are subject to minor changes.

04/09/14 - Year 8 Induction Trip

Our new Year 8 pupils travelled to the Fun House in Newry on Wednesday 3 September as part of their induction programme. This trip provided an opportunity for pupils to get to know each other better outside of the classroom and a fun time was had by all.

Thanks to Year 8 Form Teachers Mrs C Alexander and Mrs J Ferris for providing supervision on the day.

03/09/14 - Year 12 Parents' Evening

Year 12 Parents are reminded that there will a Parents' Evening on Tuesday 8th September 2014 (3.30-5.30pm). All Year 12 Parents are encouraged to attend this event.

03/09/14 - School Association AGM

All parents, staff and friends of the school are encouraged to attend the School Association AGM on Thursday 25th September 2014 at 8.00pm in Room 5.

During the 2013/14 school year, the School Association held a number of very successful community based events that raised over £3000.00 for school funds. Further information on the School Association can be found by clicking on the Association page of this website.

01/09/14 - Year 8 Induction Day

Today marked the arrival of the new Year 8 pupils for their first day at Newtownhamilton High School. Despite some nervous excitement, the pupils were quickly put at ease following a warm welcome from Principal Mr Mullan and staff. Pupils then settled down to work as part of the Young Enterprise Induction Programme, under the guidance of Young Enterprise Trainer Joanne Mallon. Some of our Acting Prefects were also on hand to provide support during these fun activities.

A tour of the school building followed the Induction Programme while pupils had an opportunity to spend time with their Form Teachers after lunch. Overall, a very busy first day at Newtownhamilton High.

Click on the Picasa logo for Photographs of Year 8's first week at Newtownhamilton High School

28/08/14 – Staff ‘Chill Out’ with Charity Ice Bucket Challenge

After 4 days of intense staff development, the staff of Newtownhamilton High School ‘chilled out’ by participating in the popular Ice Bucket Challenge in order to raise money for local charity HAND (Helping Autism in Newry & District). The specific aim of this local charity is to give a helping HAND to autistic people and their families through raising both funds and awareness of autism.

Mr Megaw thanked Mr Sloan for his nomination and then nominated retiring Principal Mr Mullan and the staff of both our collaborative partner schools, St. Paul’s High School Bessbrook and St. Joseph’s High School Crossmaglen.

Fortunately Miss Baird captured video footage of the event which we hope will raise awareness of autism and help us reach our target of £500. (Please go to our Facebook page in order to view the video footage).Pupils, parents and friends of Newtownhamilton High are welcome to make a donation to the current money raised by staff by sending a donation into the school office before the closing deadline of Friday 12 September at 3.00pm.

Our new Year 8 pupils will be issued with a home letter on their first day (Monday 1 September) informing them about a trip to The Fun House, Newry on Wednesday 3 September. The aim of this trip is to give pupils the opportunity to get to know their new peers in a fun-filled environment.

This will be a non-uniform day for the Year 8 pupils, who will depart at 11am after PE lessons periods 1-3. Pupils should bring their PE kit to school on this date. Further details regarding the trip are contained in the home letter.

21/08/14 - Excellent Exam Performance at Newtownhamilton High

Smiles (and even squeals!) of delight were much in evidence as pupils of Newtownhamilton High School received their GCSE results on Thursday 21st August. Some outstanding individual performances were recorded, complimented by a general improvement in terms of % GCSE passes.

Principal Mr Garnet Mullan stated, “I congratulate all pupils on their examination success. Teachers this year were impressed with the genuine effort made by the 2014 cohort of pupils. Their industrious approach, complimented by the excellent teaching available in the school and the all-important parental support, means that these excellent results are richly deserved. We wish every pupil well in their future career path”.